Chapter 22
Prompt: I love your voice
Hermione wasn't sure what led her to follow Draco into the Forbidden Forrest at the start of 8th year. Maybe it was how he was abnormally subdued this year, or without his normal friends by his side. Whatever the reason, she was now hiding behind a tree as Draco appeared to be searching for something in a small clearing. Draco whistled low and in moments a loud rumbling was shaking the forest floor, causing Hermione to quickly reach for her wand.
Her jaw dropped as Fluffy emerged from the brush and lunged at Draco. Frozen with fear, Hermione watched, first in horror and then amusement. Draco "hair never out of place" Malfoy was wrestling with Fluffy, a broad smile stretching across his face. A warm feeling began to bubble in her chest as she watched the usually reserved boy act in such a carefree way. After a few minutes, Draco pulled back and Fluffy laid at his feet. As he scratched behind the dog's ears, Draco's baritone voice began to fill the forest.
As the familiar tune of Caledonia washed over her, Hermione found her feet moving toward Draco without realizing. A crunch of a leaf caused Draco's head to snap toward her in alarm. His eyes widened as he realized who had found him and a faint blush graced his cheeks.
Hermione stopped like a deer in the headlights, the silence stretching between them growing more uncomfortable by the moment.
"What the hell are you doing here Granger and be quiet, she just went to sleep," murmured Draco, head tilting toward a now snoring Fluffy.
"I, err-I...I love your voice!" squeaked out Hermione. She groaned internally at her inability to think on her feet and instead saying the first honest thought that popped in her head. What had started as a faint blush was now a raging one as Draco swallowed hard, his eyes wide.
"Err, thanks," he began, "I didn't realize you were out here. I'll just leave you to it."
He turned around, clearly desperate to leave.
"Wait!" called out Hermione, her authoritative tone surprising them both. "May I join you for a bit?"
His lips slowly quirked in a shy smile as he nodded, causing that warm feeling to once again fill Hermione's chest. She wasn't sure what had led her to this moment, but years later, she would look back and see it as the one she began to fall in love with her future husband.